Archives » Wednesday, October 01, 2008
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Newsweek
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Oct 1, 2008 12:10 PM
By Amber Haq
Nestled in the sunny southwest of France, Toulouse sits astride
the Garonne River and the 17th century Canal du Midi, midway between
the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. The country's
fourth-largest city, it is young and vibrant, home to three main
universities and the European aerospace industry. It's a haven of
creativity, and combines the Gallic charm of its rich history with the
Latin warmth of its geography. Dubbed "La Ville Rose" (or "Pink City")
for the dust-colored stones so prominent in its architecture, Toulouse
is a city that will appeal to epicureans, who should savor its many
delights slowly and by foot – for walking is a way of life here.
STROLL:
Try the banks of the Garonne River for stunning views of Toulouse's
historic monuments. Perhaps the most impressive of these is the
11th-century St. Sernin basilica. Allegedly the largest Romanesque
church in Europe, it was consecrated in 1096 and features an eight-tier
octagonal tower, five church naves and an upper cloister which forms a
passageway around the impressive interior. The crypt contains relics of
128 saints, plus a thorn said to be from the Crown of Thorns – you'll
have to ask the custodian permission to enter.
VIEW: Exquisite art is on display at the Fondation Bemberg,
a private collection opened in 1995 and one of the city's most
important museums. It offers an overview of five centuries of European
art ranging from the Renaissance to the French Modern School. Paintings
by Pierre Bonnard, Matisse, Pissarro and Monet grace the rooms of the
16th century Hôtel d'Azzézat which houses the collection. Contemporary
art lovers should visit Les Abattoirs
on the city's right bank – Toulouse's hippest crowds gather in this
museum of modern and contemporary art, which once housed the municipal
abattoir dating from 1831. The collection exhibits over 2,000 works by
artists including Brassaï, Dubuffet and Picasso.
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